Tree planting app combats climate change

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A campaign to forge the global battle against climate change has been kicked off in Ponsonby, Auckland.

Tree donors can track their tree's journey from seed to maturity through a new app created by Auckland lawyer Nick Muir.

The Parnell resident has launched what is believed to be the world's first tree planting app.

The TreeTime app will use drone technology to show each tree's sponsor the growth of their tree during a 50-year span.

Muir aims to empower people to leave a lasting, positive legacy on the planet and to help prevent irreversible anthropogenic damage.

“After working on this for more than 12 months, I’m excited to finally unveil this sustainable and engaging way for people to participate in planting robust forests on a large scale here in New Zealand," said Muir, TreeTime co-founder and CEO.

TreeTime, a new tree planting non-profit enterprise, is based in Ponsonby, Auckland.

Those who donate $9 to sponsor a tree will be able to follow their tree's growth and learn how much CO2 their tree absorbs on the new app.

Progress of the app is well underway and funds raised from a crowdfunding campaign will go towards development of the drone software.

Also planned is the creation of a community founders board on TreeTime's website showcasing the crowdfunding donors.

“We have exclusive access to unique geo-positioning software which will enable app users to follow the journey of their unique trees – TreeTime supporters will know exactly where their contribution is going and receive regular updates on the growth of tree,” said Muir.

Planting coordinates will be assigned to each purchased tree and donors will receive a unique Bark Code.

Drone technology will survey forests and upload video footage to the app database.

Individual photos of trees tracked through the BarkCodes are then automatically sent to the sponsors.

The app is being developed by Auckland-based digital studio transformative, and Qual IT, a New Zealand information technology and quality assurance company.

Muir plans to put his legal career on hold in order to focus on the delivery of TreeTime's vision.

He has engaged his sister Celine Muir’s expertise in marketing and not-for-profits to aid the project.

" We've designed the app so that anyone anywhere can do their part in protecting our earth,” Muir said.

The duo chose Douglas Fir as the app's "tree of choice" as it holds extensive C02 sequestering properties, has a long lifespan and is resilient to cold conditions.

They plan to offer different species such as redwoods in the near future.

The app calculates daily the level of CO2 the user's tree has absorbed and references that to C02 emitting activities such as driving a car and consuming livestock-oriented products.